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The Bible Teaching Commentary on Genesis: The Book of Foundations
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The Godly Man
When God touches a man's life
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Discovery of God's Goodness
Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
- Goodness and Contentment-
Paul J. Bucknell
In order to discover God's goodness we do not need to go far.
"The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9).
God's goodness is bountifully unfolded before our eyes like a flower opens itself before the sun. The creation declares God's goodness to all because we all gain from its presence.
Who can say that they have not profited from God's provision from all around them?! Creation's marks of beauty, uniqueness, design, order, color, harmony, pleasantry, and provision all mount up around us as glorious reminders of God's goodness.
Although the different aspects of God's provision are often taken for granted, underneath are complicated systems. Nothing is easily made available.
The more we learn about the world of micro–biology, the more we are humbled by the magnificent systems that are fulling operating around and in us without our help or wisdom. Just think of the cell's magnificent factory–like capabilities.
We would like to think it is only the living systems that are marvelous, but they themselves are intertwined with the non–living systems. Everything is mutually dependent on other things, and the whole is dependent upon God.
From God has flowed a fountain of goodness. Everywhere is His goodness. God stated again and again that His creation was good. Let's look at the seven times God used 'good' from Genesis 1. After each day of creating, God declared it 'good.' After this, we will then draw some principles from these verses.
GOD'S GOODNESS IN CREATION (Genesis 1:1 - 2:3)
Day 1 |
Genesis 1:4 |
And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. |
Day 2 |
Genesis 1:10 |
And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. |
Day 3 |
Genesis 1:12 |
And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. |
Day 4 |
Genesis 1:18 |
and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. |
Day 5 |
Genesis 1:21 |
And God created the great sea monsters, and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. |
Day 6 |
Genesis 1:25
|
And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; ... And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. |
Day 7 |
Genesis 2:3 |
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. |
Seven Principles Drawn from Creation (Genesis 1:1-2:4)
1) God existed before creation and therefore is separate from it.
God is not part of the creation but in fact over it.
2) God's character and purpose is carried out in what He has made.
God is not neutral nor is He evil. He is absolutely good.
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3) There is a real material creation.
It does nobody any good to deny the reality of matter.
4) The creation was wholly good and designed to please and fulfill.
We were made to enjoy its goodness and to express our thanks to God.
5) Creation was made mutually dependent on other parts and the whole on God.
The order of creation speaks against the haphazard origins often referred to in evolution.
6) Fruitfulness and multiplication of this 'good' is desirable and even commanded by God.
To restrain fruitfulness of the land or the womb is to hold back God's goodness and glory.
7) The creation of man is the most glorious part of creation because he was made in God's image.
We dare not treat man as just another part of creation. He needs to be respected.
The Discovery of God's Goodness
We have spent so much time on creation because this is where we first meet God. (Click here for more on Genesis 1).
We understand God by what He has done. Since the results of what He has done at creation still exists down to this day, we can all participate in this study of goodness.
Furthermore, we find that God's repeated declaration of "good" on what He has made is unavoidable.
"Good" is imprinted on creation. It is stamped into our own lives. We cannot escape what we see all around us.
From God's good world, we can discern God's goodness.
From God's good person, we can appreciate His good world. .
Either way, the discovery of God's goodness is one of the most pleasant journey's we could ever be part of. From beginning to end, we are awed at the greatness in scope and the abundance of goodness wherever we go.
Our hearts are filled with joy and appreciation that we are so well cared for.
We will have some important questions of life to face.
"If the world is so good, why do so many reject it?"
"If God's world is so good, then why is there so much evil?"
"If God is so good, then why did He allow evil to creep into it?"
These questions have tripped many a person who was on his way of discovering the vast goodness God has provided. We will later do our best answering such questions, but meanwhile we should never allow what is so clearly declared, be garbled by one of Satan's lies.
Meanwhile you might personally reflect on where you are on this journey of discovery and whether you have been distracted with one of Satan's ploys.
Next =>Good and Evil: Their Nature & Discussion - Genesis 2
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Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted:
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